1. I am a convert and am used to seeing no short-age of strange practices dressed up as Islamic. One of these is the way people use Ramadhan to lavish the table In a way which is not done throughout the whole year. Doesn't this sumptuousness negate the essence of Ramadhan?
The whole business of lavishing tables with delicious foods which are rarely cooked during the rest of the year is something which negates the purpose of Ramadhan. Today there have developed so many ritual foods specifically for Ramadhan that one would be forgiven for mistaking that eating, not abstinence, is the real purpose of the month. Rather, Ramadhan is a reminder to Muslims to be caring, compassionate and kind. Rather than indulging ourselves we should be making an effort to save more during Ramadhan and giving to the less fortunate.
(101 - Important Days 10)
2. Are women allowed to take medication to stop their periods for Hajj? If so, what did the early Muslim women do? And how can we justify tampering with nature?
Women are allowed to take medication which delays the menstrual cycle if the purpose is to perform Hajj, according to the Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh Abdul Aziz Ibn Baz. The Mufti was answering a question relating to delaying the periods for a woman who wanted to fast for the whole of the month of Ramadhan without worry. But the (Qiyas) analogy can be extended.
The majority of Muslim scholars, insofar as I know, do not consider such an act as being tantamount to "tampering with nature". Rather, it is considered more an act of regulation so that women can spend the periods of Ramadhan and Hajj free from the anxiety of waiting for their periods and then interrupting their fasting, etc. There is nothing wrong with using available resources to help Muslim women perform their acts of Ibadah (worship) during such times. And I will repeat, this is not a permanent act of interfering with nature.
(119 - Medical Issues 4)
